Wine, music, horses and hounds

Fro staff reports
Published: July 9, 2008

From staff reports

The fourth annual Horse & Hound Wine Festival comes to the Peaks of Otter Winery & Orchards in Bedford on Saturday.

Wine aficionados can sample from eight Virginia wineries: Hickory Hill, LeoGrande, Peaks of Otter, Rebec, Savoy Lee, Tomahawk, White Rock and Wintergreen.

Wine is just the beginning. The family-oriented festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., features arts and crafts vendors, food, live music and a schedule of horse and hound events.

Two musical acts will play throughout the day. Tyler Hodges and Mike Hale of southwest Virginia will play old-time country music and Southern rock from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bill Sutton and Roadhouse from Roanoke will take the stage with rhythm and blues from 2 to 6 p.m.

Horse and hound festivities begin at 11 a.m. with the agility dog demonstration on a course of tunnels, climbing obstacles and weave poles.

At 12:15 p.m., the parade of horses will showcase different breeds from the area. The audience will vote on their favorite, which will be presented with the “People’s Choice Award” at the end of the day.

The lure coursing demonstration begins at 1:30 p.m., recreating the historic hare and hound pursuit. Instead of using a real hare, strips of white plastic will zing through a pulley system, simulating the zigzag path of a rabbit on the run.

The muskrat races round out the day at 4 p.m. Jack Russell Terriers will pursue artificial prey through the farm’s ponds. Afterwards, dogs of all shapes and sizes will be invited to participate in the event, with the winner of each division — small, medium and large — receiving a trophy.

Last year, the festival drew close to 4,000 visitors, said Danny Johnson, owner of the Peaks of Otter Winery. The proceeds of this year’s event will benefit Commonwealth Search and Rescue, the Bedford Humane Society and Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue.

The festival site, the Peaks of Otter Winery, is at 2122 Sheep Creek Road. Admission for tasters is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. General admission is $10, and $5 for dogs and children.

Tickets are available online, and at various locations, including the Basket Case on 2909 Old Forest Road in Lynchburg, Bedford’s Visitor Center, Diamond Hill at 1017 Diamond Hill in Moneta and Peaks of Otter Winery & Orchards. Tickets are also available at StellarOne branches in Bedford, Moneta, New London and Forest.

For more information, visit http://www.bedfordwine.com or call (540) 586-3707.